New Zealand is a long narrow country lying roughly north-south. Consisting of the North and South Islands (and a number of smaller islands), it covers 103,736 square miles (166,940 square kilometres) and is 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometres) long. It covers an area slightly larger than the United Kingdom. New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific, approximately 6,500 miles (10,400 kilometres) south west of North America and 1,400 miles (2,250 kilometres) east of Australia.

         The Dutch navigator, Abel Tasman, sighted and named New Zealand in 1642. However, it was not until 1769 that Captain James Cook charted the coastline and explored the country. Whalers and traders began to arrive on New Zealand's shores soon after Captain Cook. The first European setters arrived in the early nineteenth century at the Bay of Islands and established missionary stations in the area. Mass immigration occurred shortly after the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

         New Zealand has a population of almost 3.5 million people, three quarters of whom live in the North Island, one of the two main islands. New Zealand Maori make up approximately 10% of the population, and Polynesian people approximately 4% of New Zealand's multi-cultural society. Chinese, Indian and Asian ethnic groups are increasing in population size within New Zealand.

        New Zealand is exactly twelve hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. In summer, early October to late March, we enjoy an extra hour of daylight saving, to extend the warm summer evenings.

        New Zealand has a particularly clear and unpolluted atmosphere with average daily sunshine hours ranging from seven to eight in summer and four to five in winter. Ranging from subtropical in the north to temperate in the south, the mean summer temperature is 23° Celcius (74° Farenheit) and 14° Celcius (57° Farenheit) in winter. Seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere - winter is between June and August and summer is between December and February.

         British Colony since 1840, New Zealand declared national sovereignty in 1947, but remains a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth as head of state. Recently, New Zealand replaced the previous 'first past the post' electoral system with a new mixed member system of proportional representation. There are now several mainstream political parties - National and Labour, who were the 'traditional' parties along with more recent political parties including New Zeland First and the Alliance. The current government is a coalition between National and New Zealand First.

          Even though well over 80% of New Zealanders live in towns and cities, agricultural products are the basis of New Zealand's economy and is the biggest export earner. That's not surprising when you consider that one third of the country's total area is sown in pasture and that sheep out number people by twenty five to one! Tourism, forestry, horticulture, fishing and manufacturing have become increasingly important sectors in the economy in recent years. Australia is New Zealand's largest export market, followed by Japan, Asia, the United States and the United Kingdom.

        The North of New Zealand is sub-tropical and the South temperate. The warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest June, July and August. In summer, the average maximum temperature ranges between 20-30ºC and in winter between 10-15ºC. You can check on weather conditions in New Zealand on the New Zealand Met Service website.

          Dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants and nightspots. Men are generally not expected to wear suits and ties, except in a few of the top formal bars and restaurants in major cities. In summer a light jacket or sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit the high country. You can expect some rain, so include a light waterproof jacket or coat. Pack warm winter clothing if visiting between May and September. Layer your clothing.

        New Zealand is an independent nation and a member of the British Commonwealth. It has a diverse multi-cultural population of around 3.8 million people. The majority of New Zealanders are of British descent, and the largest minority is New Zealand's indigenous Maori who make up around 14 percent of the population.

         English is the common and everyday language of New Zealand. You may also hear other languages spoken, including Maori, which is also an official language of New Zealand.

              The Maori were New Zealand's first settlers. They made an epic journey from legendary Hawaiki, probably in Polynesia to the north of New Zealand, about 1000 years ago. The great explorer Kupe, who legend says first discovered New Zealand, named the new land Aotearoa - Land of the Long White Cloud. The first documented European to discover New Zealand was Dutch navigator Abel Tasman who came here in 1642 in search of the fabled great southern continent. Over a century and a quarter later Captain James Cook claimed it for Britain in 1769 and produced a map.

         The Treaty of Waitangi is New Zealand's founding document and established the country as a nation. It was signed in 1840 between leading Maori chiefs and representatives of the British Crown. The location, at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands, is now one of the country's most historic sites. The signing of the treaty began on 6 February, which has become New Zealand's national day, known as 'Waitangi Day'.

         New Zealand is a modern country with a well-developed economy and a government structure based on the British parliamentary system. New Zealand has long been a sovereign nation in its own right with only tenuous ties to Britain through New Zealand's membership of the British Commonwealth. You can find more information on the New Zealand's government and its monetary policy at the Reserve Bank of New Zealand website and New Zealand Government Online.

         New Zealand's first settlers, the Maori, named the kiwi bird for the sound of its chirp - kiwi, kiwi, kiwi! This flightless bird, about the size of a domestic hen, has an extremely long beak and plumage more like hair than feathers. New Zealanders have adopted this nocturnal, flightless and endearing creature as their national emblem. Referring to New Zealanders as Kiwis probably dates back to the First World War, when New Zealand soldiers acquired this nickname. In the international financial markets, the New Zealand dollar, the basic currency unit, is frequently called the Kiwi. The dollar coin features a kiwi bird on one side. Perhaps the best-known kiwi is the delicious kiwifruit. Originating in China, kiwifruit were grown in New Zealand domestic gardens for decades as Chinese gooseberries. However, when enterprising New Zealand farmers began propagating the fruit intensively for export, it was given the name kiwifruit and has achieved worldwide fame.